Pharma-Sponsored Foreign Trip Leads to Ahmedabad's High-Profile Skin Doctor’s Suspension
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Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
The Gujarat Medical Council (GMC) has ordered the removal of one of the top skin specialist in Ahmedabad and favourite among the city’s Richie Rich, Dr Geeta J Patel, from the State Medical Register for 13 months, holding her guilty of professional misconduct for accepting travel and hospitality from a pharmaceutical company to attend an international conference in Europe.
Dr Patel is a leading skin care and laser treatment specialist of the city.
Along with her, two other dermatologists, Dr Ami Shah and Dr Jagdish Sakhia also face disciplinary actions.
The action was initiated following directions issued by the Ethics and Medical Registration Board (EMRB) of the National Medical Commission (NMC), which forwarded an order dated December 23, 2024, passed by the Apex Committee for Pharma Marketing Practices.
The NMC, through its letter dated December 15, 2025, directed the Gujarat Medical Council to conduct an inquiry under Sections 27 and 30 of the National Medical Commission Act, 2019.
Conference in Paris and Monaco
According to the Council’s findings, Dr Geeta Patel of Zahra Skin & Laser Clinic on Sindhu Bhavan Road, Ahmedabad, attended the Aesthetics & Anti-Aging Medicine World Congress 2024 as a delegate.
The conference was held in Paris and Monaco between March 26 and 29, 2024. The Council found that her travel tickets and hotel accommodation were paid for by AbbVie Healthcare India Pvt Ltd, a pharmaceutical company.
The case was one among 30 healthcare professionals referred to the NMC over alleged violations of the Indian Medical Council (Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Ethics) Regulations, 2002 and the Uniform Code for Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices (UCPMP).
Show-cause notice and inquiry
The Gujarat Medical Council issued a show-cause notice to Dr Patel, asking her to appear before its Executive Committee.
She appeared before the committee and submitted a written explanation dated January 8, 2026, along with her oral submissions.
Council’s findings
The Council concluded that Dr Patel had accepted travel facilities and hospitality sponsored by AbbVie Healthcare India Pvt Ltd.
The Council further noted that the value of the travel and hospitality exceeded ₹1 lakh, attracting the stricter punishment prescribed under the amended ethics regulations.
13-month suspension
The Council ordered that Dr Patel’s name be removed from the State Medical Register for one year and one month, effective from August 30, 2026, to September 29, 2027, after allowing a 60-day period before the order comes into force.
During this period:
- She cannot practise medicine in Gujarat in any capacity.
- She cannot claim any rights or privileges arising from her medical registration.
Restoration of her registration after the suspension period will be subject to compliance with the provisions of the Gujarat Medical Council Act and applicable rules.
Two Surat dermatologists also penalised
The same order also imposes identical punishment on two Surat-based dermatologists:
- Dr Jagdish Sakhia
- Dr Ami Shah
Both were found guilty of accepting pharma-sponsored travel and hospitality for attending the same international conference.
The Council has informed all three doctors that they have the right to appeal under the provisions of the National Medical Commission Act, 2019, within the prescribed limitation period.
